With the new Contract Bargaining Agreement signing the NWSL has become much more similar to its European counterparts. Since the NWSL too is now free of drafts and trades, the NWSL is set to become the Mecca of women’s soccer, if it is not already. Though the NWSL and a European league like the English Women’s Super League align a lot, there would still be differences. Having played both in the NWSL and the WSL, USWNT star Emily Fox recently revealed a key difference between the two.

The USWNT gold medalist played for the NWSL’s Racing Louisville and the North Carolina Courage before joining the WSL giant Arsenal. And she is experiencing things she has never experienced in the American women’s soccer league. Having the Paris Olympic gold, Emily Fox recently spoke at length about the historic experience.

Emily Fox says WSL clubs drive to away games, unlike the NWSL

During her recent appearance on the Futbol Americas podcast, the Arsenal star was quizzed about the differences between the WSL and the NWSL. “Honestly, I feel like the biggest difference is the travel,” said Emily Fox. Continuing, she stressed that the USA’s geography doesn’t allow recurrent on-road travels for NWSL games, unlike the English league. “I think for this game, this past January was to Liverpool or to Manchester, so 3.5 hours drive. Which is very rare in the NWSL just because the US is so big. So that’s kind of the biggest difference,” the USWNT defender added.

The on-road trip to away games, which is particular to the English league is an interesting storyline in contemporary soccer. Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has consistently lamented that traveling by bus for more than three hours takes the energy out of the players. Considering it would be a Herculean task for a KC Current to travel by road to play the San Diego Wave, the NWSL players need not worry about taking a bus. Anyhow, the different travel schedule and even the new CBA don’t have the chance to lure Emily Fox back to the NWSL; she is having her time in Arsenal, it seems.

Fox can’t imagine leaving Arsenal

Emily Fox left the NC Courage for Arsenal in January 2024. The American right-back said she was delighted for the switch and the club Arsenal resonates with excellence. After eight months at the club, Fox has not changed her stance and she seems to be loving the club a bit more. “‘I am fully committed to Arsenal and I am saying that because it is 100% how I feel. I can’t imagine going anywhere else,” Fox noted in a recent interview with Arsenal.

The 26-year-old defender is well aware of the NWSL’s growth potential after it signed the new player-friendly CBA. Yet, she quashed any chances of soon returning to the US-based league. Because she has been seeing Arsenal register sell-out crowds at the Etihad Stadium when she is playing. All in all, women’s soccer, be it in England or in the US, is telling a story of growth and development.

So, it doesn’t matter if Fox stays in Arsenal or returns to the NWSL, she could thrive anywhere. What’s your take on this? Share below.